Vienna police fail to intervene in anti-Semitic taunting of rabbi

(JTA) — Police failed to intervene when a Vienna rabbi being verbally attacked with anti-Semitic insults asked for help.

A soccer fan shouted “Move, Jew — Jews out, Heil Hitler” and proffered the Nazi salute at Rabbi Shlomo Hofmeister on Aug. 30 in Vienna’s city center, according to reports. The assault prior to a Europa League match between Rapid Vienna and the Greek team PAOK occurred in front of police.

When the rabbi appealed to the police to intervene, they reportedly said, "Come on, it’s a football night."